Welcome to Billingham Golf Club

Gent’s Captain

I would like to thank Sue Cartwright for her brilliant and generous achievement running in both the Middlesbrough 10k and the Great North Run raising money towards my chosen charity. Sue has raised the magnificent total of £1,493.20 thanks Sue it’s very much appreciated and it will help with this very worthy cause.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

Congratulations to all the Junior Member’s who won trophy’s and awards on the junior presentation night. The club will be in good hands in the future as the evening was very well attended and some very good young golfers won on the night. Well done to John Dobson and his junior committee.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

Saturday September 1st 2018 saw my Captains Charity Golf Day take place in aid of the Chemotherapy Day Unit at James Cook Hospital. I would like to thank several people for they generous donations towards the cause. Billingham Golf Club, Andy Hood and all his staff, Becky Taylor for sitting there all day collecting green fees, Carol Jones, Mike Ure, Nigel Fick, Hire Station, Parr Group and British Gypsum, Kevin and Andrew Taylor (Bolton Wanderers FC)

Andrew Davies (Hartlepool FC), Howard and Edith Robinson, Peter Caswell, John Dales and his Greenstaff. Please forgive me if I have missed someone out but with over 30 teams of four; many not members it was a very long and strenuous day. We ended up raising quite a bit of money with the raffle, auction and greenfees in the end a total of £3,205 was raised a brilliant effort from everyone concerned.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

This Week 15th , 16th and 17th August saw Billingham host the Senior Masters Pro Tour; Wednesday 15th we had the pro-am which was won by Eric Garbutt, Peter Jamieson, John Szyman and Golf Professional Nigel Sweet with a score of 92 points.

The next two days saw the pro’s playing two rounds with the best combined medal score taking the title; on the first day we had five pro’s with a score of level par 71 this included our very own Mike Ure. The second day with trickier pins and windy conditions made it a bit harder too score well; but having said that a few shot under par Steve McNally shot a 67 and Nigel Sweet shot a 68. The winning score for two rounds was 142 with Bob Cameron and Nigel Sweet both ending level par Bob Cameron won on the second playoff hole with a birdie.

Congratulations Bob well played. Also thanks to Mike Best and his team and Mike Ure for all the hard work in organising this event. The feed back from the professionals was brilliant they all commented on how good the course was so thanks to John Dales and the greenstaff. Thanks to Andy and all his staff for they excellent service everyone loved the club and friendly atmosphere and can’t wait to play again next year. I would like to think that we the members could get behind Mike Ure and give him more support for next year’s event.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

A huge congratulations must go to Norman Evans and the Senior Team (which I’m proud to be part of) for winning the senior league title for the second consecutive year. We beat Teesside 11 – 2 in our final game and with every one of the squad playing their part over the season; saw Billingham win the league by a clear 14 points.

Home

Away

Played

Home

Away

Bonus

Bonus

Total

1

Billingham

12

6

6

6

6

101

2

Hunley Hall

12

6

6

6

87

3

Eaglescliffe

12

6

6

5

4

83

4

Teesside

12

6

6

4

75

5

Dinsdale Spa

12

6

6

5

2

73

6

Middlesbrough

12

6

6

5

2

72

7

Castle Eden

12

6

6

2

62

Well done Norman and the boy’s a fantastic achievement

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

Wednesday 1st August away Wynyard

Congratulations to everyone at Wynyard Golf Club especially Chris and Lee who have guided the team to become this year’s Division 1 champions. Billingham knew that no matter what the outcome of this match was they fate had been dealt. But having said that I must thank everyone of the Billingham Squad for their fantastic attitude; as some of them played most of the season well out of their comfort zone.

In the Handicap Section; Graeme Reeks, Garry Ure and Peter Caswell all lost, Craig Bradley and Neil Kerr won and John A Dobson got a half

Result:- Wynyard 7pts. Billingham 5pts

Final Result:- Wynyard 16pts. Billingham 8pts

The Hospitality and the course at Wynyard was absolutely brilliant not to mention the food from the BBQ thanks to Chris and his Team.

Big thanks to all the Billingham Golf Club members for a great turn out in support.

Unfortunately that’s the conclusion of the 2018 season and Billingham will be playing in Division 2 in 2019. Let’s hope we can bounce straight back and get where I believe we belong in Division 1.

Finally a huge thank you to Peter Caswell for all his support and sponsorship; I wish him well next season in his year as Captain of this wonderful Golf Club.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

Wednesday 25th July home to Bishop Auckland

A very difficult match against last year’s champions was one ask too many with quite a few of the squad unavailable we had to ask players to play well out of their comfort zone.

Final Result:- Billingham 7pts. Bishop Auckland 17pts.

Big thanks to all the Billingham Golf Club members for a great turn out in support.

We have another tough trip away on Wednesday 1st August (which just happens to be my Birthday) to Wynyard who look to have secured the Division 1 Championship.

Although it’s tough to be relegated I must say a huge thanks to all the players who like I said earlier have played well out of their comfort zone and never once complained thanks boys for your absolute fantastic attitudes all season.

Come and support the Team I’m sure you will witness some good matches along with a lot of good golf, the players really appreciate seeing a familiar face whist playing they match; and if they are getting encouragement from the watching support that’s even better.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

Unfortunately the Men’s union team had a big 18 – 6 defeat away to newly promoted Teesside; this leaves us bottom of the league with a home match to last year’s champions Bishop Auckland and our final match away to this year’s league leaders Wynyard; so relegation looks unavoidable. I must thank all the players and squad members a lot have played well out of they comfort zone in the scratch section some off handicaps of 5, 6 & 7 playing against lads off +4, +3, +2, +1 and scratch a very tough ask but they never complained and battled away to the end thanks lads brilliant attitudes.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

The men’s union team had a rearranged match at home to Middlesbrough due to England’s Semi Final World Cup Match being played on the normal match day. Billingham beat Middlesbrough 13 – 11, and now have a tough away match against Teesside on Wednesday 18th July followed by a home match against Bishop Auckland and finishing of with the final match away to Wynyard let’s hope we amass enough points to maintain our first division status.

Congratulations must go to Brad Hildreth who has just won his 8th consecutive Club Championship by 4 shots a brilliant achievement well done Brad. Also well done to Johnny Clayton on winning the Morgan Trophy.

Also congratulations to the Ladies Club Champion Alice Jones well done Alice.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

After a very busy week, with 5 days in Leeds caddying for Mike Ure; I then had another three days with my Captains Weekend. I would like to thank several people who helped and supported me during the three days.

Cath and Dave McNeill who without they support I would have struggled to get through the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All the ladies who helped out on the Saturday brilliant girls. A huge thank you to Andy, Anthony all the Bar and Catering Staff. Thanks to John Dales and the boys for the great condition of the course. Thanks to Stewart Openshaw and Kenny Walters for all the hard work with the excellently run competitions over the three days. a big thank you to Nigel Jones and Peter Kelly for all they efforts on the Saturday. Our Professional Mike Ure who assisted with all three days thanks Mike. Peter McNay for booking the entertainment for the Saturday night which proved to be a huge success. To absent friends who I think brought the magnificent weather (who wants to be abroad with weather like that) and Finally my biggest thank you goes to my right hand man and Vice Captain Peter Caswell who has been absolutely brilliant not only with the Men’s team and sponsorship but he’s always there at a moments notice if needed thanks Pete. Now to the winners on the Friday we had the Junior Competition with Ethan Gingell winning with 44 pts and Will Bellerby coming runner up with 39 pts. In the 10 years and under Sam Martin won with 37 pts and Samuel Griffiths came 2nd with 27 pts. The Ladies had a 9 Hole and an 18 Hole competition along with a nearest the Line and nearest the pin the winners where; Ladies 9 Hole winner Elsie Fawcett (15 pts) 2nd Florence Walker (13 pts) Ladies 18 Hole winner Jean Pitchford (39 pts) 2nd Christine Oakley (37 pts). Nearest the pin winner 8th hole Jean Pitchford. Nearest the line winner this had two Ladies landing exactly on the line so we had two joint winners Pat Dixon and Margaret Littlefair. Saturday is an all day affair with the Men’s singles Stableford the winner with a magnificent 46 pts was John Winning who also made a very heartfelt winning speech well done John; 2nd was Tom McDonald (43 pts) 3rd Mark McIntosh (42 pts) Nearest the pin winners where 5th hole John Robson; 8th hole Bernie Harrison; 14th hole Garry Ure; 16th hole Rob Morgan and 18th in two Mark Snaith. The putting competition was won by Josh Thompson and the Beat the pro par 3 challenge winner was Steve Simmonds. Sunday saw the Men’s three man team texas scramble with Nigel Fick, Terry Conlon and Dave Innes winning with a 62; 2nd was Malcolm Cairnie, Lee Alexander and Darrel Smith. The Mixed pairs was won by Terry Murphy and Diane McGhee with Ian and Helen Fawcett coming second beating Brian and Christine Oakley with a better back nine. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thanks to everyone who competed over the three days and made this a captains weekend to remember with great company and fantastic weather. We managed to raise over £900 just on the Saturday alone so I can’t thank you enough as you all know the charity is very close to my heart. One final note Sue Cartwright is competing in the Great North Run also for my chosen charity the Chemotherapy Day Unit James Cook Hospital so please help out and sponsor Sue.

Kind Regards from a very Humble

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

The Men’s Union team had a good result against Seaton Carew winning 14 – 10

Big thanks to all the Billingham Golf Club members for a great turn out in support.

Next week we have a very tough trip away to Castle Eden

Come and support the Team I’m sure you will witness some good matches along with a lot of good golf, the players really appreciate seeing a familiar face whist playing they match; and if they are getting encouragement from the watching support that’s even better.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

Wednesday 20th June away to Eaglescliffe

A brilliant performance from all the team tonight; gaining this amount of points away from home was no mean feat.

The scratch section had some very good matches Brad Hildreth lost, Andy Hood lost, Marc Symington had another very good win 1up, Simon Jones was very unlucky not to come away with two points losing on the last to get a half, Lee Alexander lost and John A Dobson won 3&2

Result:- Eaglescliffe 7pts. Billingham 5pts.

The Handicap Section also had a good night Graeme Reeks won, Craig Bradley got a half, Garry Ure won 6&5, Graeme Nimmo won 5&4 Austen Eagling lost 2&1 and Neil Kerr lost 1 down.

Result:- Eaglescliffe 5pts. Billingham 7pts.

Final Result:- Eaglescliffe 12pts. Billingham 12pts.

Big thank you to the Billingham Golf Club members for a fantastic turn out in support.

Next week we have a must win match at home to Seaton Carew let’s hope we can get some very valuable point and help us move up the league.

Come and support the Team I’m sure you will witness some good matches along with a lot of good golf, the players really appreciate seeing a familiar face whist playing they match; and if they are getting encouragement from the watching support that’s even better.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

I will be posting a notice on the club’s boards with regards to 4 ball auction’s; I have a total of 34 for auction with the majority of them valid up to December 2018, and as my captains charity day is Saturday September 1st this will leave very little time to get the 4 ball’s played. All proceeds will go to my chosen charity which is the Chemotherapy Day Unit at James Cook Hospital a very worthy cause. If anyone is interested just print name and contact number along with your choice of venue and amount you would like to bid on the slips of provided paper place into a brown envelope and put into the safe or behind the bar. The winning bids will be announced at the end of July.

Thanks and Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

At last something to smile about with a tremendous victory over the current league leaders Wynyard. Brad Hildreth beat the Durham Co Match play champion Chris Handy 3&1, Marc Symington off 6 had a fantastic win beating Ben Bailey off +2 1up, Simon Jones lost on the last 1 down, Lee Alexander, Dave Innes and Andy Hood all lost on the 17th 2&1

The course was in great condition and the Wynyard lads all gave very good feedback thanks to John and all the Greens staff. Big thanks to all the Billingham Golf Club members for a great turn out in support.

Next week we have a very tough trip away to Eaglescliffe; let’s hope that we have turned the corner and gained some confidence from tonight’s result.

The Seniors also had a fantastic result beating Castle Eden 12 – 1 which I’m pleased to say I helped along with senior captain Norman Evans winning 6up; well done lads very good results from both teams.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

Just recently I have had the pleasure of refereeing two of the clubs finals; I would like to congratulate all eight golfers who took part. Both finals were played in very good competitive but sportsman’s like nature well done to all.

The Darchem Final between Terry Conlon and partner Dennis Wright playing Howard Robinson and partner Phil Jones. Terry and Dennis won both the opening holes and maintained that lead throughout the front nine. The back nine ended with a handshake on the 14th with victory going to Terry and Dennis 5 & 4.

The Top Dog Final was a much closer affair between Ian Fawcett and partner Mark Smith playing Steve Garbutt and partner Mick Purcifer. This was nip and tuck all the way round with no pairing getting more than one hole in front at any given time…!!! 1up.. all square.. 1 down.. all square. It eventually ended on the last hole with the last putt; Mick Purcifer getting a shot holed a nervy six footer to gain victory 1 up.

Two brilliant finals with good golf and a true spirit playing the game how it should be played, once again congratulations to the victors and commiserations to the losers.

My Captains Weekend sheets are posted in the foyer of the club house; with Stableford competitions for the Ladies, Juniors, Men and Mixed over a three day period. The entertainment is booked for the Saturday Night tickets are £6 each to be purchased from Andy and his staff over the bar. I hope the golfing gods are shining down on us and everyone has a good time.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

The men’s union team had a tough night at home to newly promoted Teesside; who showed just why they have won the third division and second division in consecutive years. Teesside have a very good team with a great team spirit playing some very good golf. Well done to they Team Manager Paul, Captain Andy and Vice Captain Dave good luck for the rest of the season.

Good luck to both of the Top Dog finalist’s; I will be refereeing this final and I’m looking forward to some good golf and decent banter.

On a sadder note it was nice to see a very good turn out from the Billingham Golf Club Members for the late Gerry Mullen’s funeral another member who will sadly be missed.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

A combination of brilliant weather good support and a great field along with a course in fantastic condition; the Durham County Golf Championship proved to be a huge success.

I would like to thank the Durham County Golf Chief Executive for choosing

Billingham Golf Club as hosts for such a prestige competition. I hope we have lived up to your expectations and delivered a worthy venue.

I would like to congratulate all the players and thank them for they glowing tributes and kind words about the condition of the course.

Congratulations to Chris Handy South Moore/ Wynyard who won with a score of four under par for four rounds; also well done to young Thomas Harbord from Castle Eden on his runner up spot.

Thanks to Andy, Sue and Head Chef Anthony along with all they staff who have worked hard catering for every ones needs.

Thanks to all the members who turned out to be ball spotters over the three days excellent response.

As you know the weather hasn’t been kind over the last couple of months so I must thank Head Green Keeper John Dales and all his greens staff who have worked really hard getting the course in such good condition

Finally I would like to give a huge thank you and to The Durham County Golf President Mr John Kirk

Thanks from every one at Billingham Golf Club.

The seniors had a very good result at home to Dinsdale winning 10 – 3 another good performance from Norman and the boy’s.

The Inters also had a good day with 226 points giving them 7 league points well done John Clayton and his team.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

This has been a very sad week with two funeral’s Davy Smith and Russ Devereux also the sad death of Gerry Mullen.

The men’s union team had a very good result of 15-9 against a very strong Castle Eden side, who had two plus 1’s and 4 scratch golfer’s in the scratch section; also with two 2, two 3 and two 5 handicaps in the handicap section so the well done to all. At last we have a win and can hopefully gain strength from this. Next week we play Middlesbrough Brass Castle.

This week also see’s Billingham as the venue for the The Durham County Championship on the 18th, 19th & 20th of May. Good luck to all the Billingham Golfers who are playing; I hope to see a good turn out of member’s in support of this prestige competition.

Well done to Norman and the Seniors team with a very good win 10 – 4 away to Middlesbrough Brass Castle; thanks to Howard Robinson for carrying me on my debut; but when all said and done it’s a team game and we won.

The Men’s Union team had a tough away match to Seaton Carew and we faced two of our old boy’s in Robert Moon and Greg Johnson; the scratch section lost 10 – 2 with only Paul McGrath winning 3&2 against Robert Moon.

The handicap section had some very close matches which could have gone either way; with three half’s, one win and two losses.

Next Wednesday 16th we are at home to Castle Eden….. Let’s hope our season starts then.

It was nice to see some of the Billingham members travelling to Seaton thanks for your support;

Good luck to our Lady Captain with her Charity Golf Day Friday 11th May. I hope the weather shines down and everyone has a good day; especially the chosen charity.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

I’m a few weeks into my Captain’s role and at last the weather has enabled us all to get out and play this game we all love…!!!! The course is looking very good thanks to all the hard work from John and his greens staff.

The new Inters team have had two matches and have been very close gaining 204 points and 211 points finishing 5th and 2nd well done to John Clayton on his superb organising skills also on a very good web page very informative keep up the good work lads.

The senior’s team who won their league last year started very well beating Hunley Hall 10 – 3 a brilliant effort from Norman and his boys. I make my debut for the seniors at Middlesbrough Brass Castle on Monday 7th May partnering Howard Robinson (Good Luck Howard).

Wednesday 2nd May saw the Men’s Union team play Eaglescliffe at home. We had three debutants in the scratch section and had a tough night gaining only three points in scratch and six points in the handicap giving us a poor nine points in a home fixture. Lets just hope it was a little blip and put it down to a bad night and that things can only improve.

Well done to the members who have qualified in the Rosebowl and Stableford in recent weeks; also the Medal Q1 has been rescheduled to replace the cancelled open.

The Durham County Championship is on the 18th, 19th & 20th of May which is a huge honour for Billingham Golf Club and thanks to our very own Mr John Kirk (Durham County President). Please come along and watch some of most talented golfers in the county also we will need volunteers to act as spotters over the three days. Lets hope the golfing gods are shining down on us.

Kind Regards

Tom Cushley – Captain 2018

I would like to congratulate Dave for his year and three weeks as Gent’s Captain; and thank him for asking me to be his Vice Captain. I would like all the members to have a great year and hopefully support not only my chosen charity, but also all of the competitions and social events throughout the year.

I recognise that it’s a tremendous honour in being the Gent’s Captain and I feel very privileged, I will do my best to represent the members and Billingham Golf Club in the manner that’s expected. I will make myself available as often as possible to meet with you to discuss any issues that you may have and I will attempt to play with as many members during the year as possible.

I have been a member since 1999 and have served on both Competition and Entertainment committees; I have been the Men’s Union Manager for the last five seasons; and over the last 12 years held 10 charity golf days. Which I would like to believe have not only helped the various charities but helped the club with boosting they much needed funds.

Peter Caswell is my Vice Captain. Peter has been a member since 1970 and has not only sponsored many charity events at the club. in last year’s anniversary year Peter was the main sponsor; he has also been my right hand man helping me with the men’s union team also supplying all the team uniforms. I can’t think of any person more deserving for this role and I wish him nothing but success for the future.

I would like to wish the Ladies Captain and Junior Captain a successful and enjoyable year.

My chosen charity for this year is “The James Cook University Hospital Chemotherapy Day Unit Middlesbrough” and was actually picked by my wife before she passed. I would love to raise as much as possible for this very worthy cause. As I have seen at first hand the amount of hard work these nurses do day in day out trying to treat far too many patients who have this horrible disease called cancer.

I wish all the Club teams and Members a very successful 2018

I would like say I’m very proud to be your Gent’s Captain for 2018 and would like to “Thank you all very much”.

On a personal note I would like to thank everyone for they support on my eventual drive in day…!!!! and a huge thank you to Ian Fawcett on his brilliant organisation and secret skills for the Golf Day on Friday 30th March I hope everyone had a wonderful day I know I did thanks Ian.